Lewis Hamilton is poised to significantly influence Ferrari's world championship bid in his debut season with the team in 2025, according to Ferrari's chairman.
During his recent attendance at the Olympic Games in Paris, John Elkann was questioned about the challenges of persuading the seven-time world champion to switch from Mercedes to Ferrari.
"Some things happen very quickly," stated Elkann, the 48-year-old heir apparent of Italy's influential Agnelli empire, in a discussion with Corriere dello Sport.
"This was the moment when he and Ferrari found each other. He wants to win the eighth title, Ferrari wants to win, and with Lewis we are stronger," Elkann continued. "He doesn't come to Ferrari to enjoy his retirement."
"It's important to have motivated people around, who want to win."
The acquisition of the 39-year-old Hamilton led to the displacement of Ferrari's younger, high-performing driver Carlos Sainz, who subsequently secured a contract with Williams for 2025.
"It is tragic that he is having his best season at Ferrari and is not getting a seat in a top team," commented Red Bull's Dr. Helmut Marko, who introduced Sainz to F1 alongside Max Verstappen, during an interview with Speed Week.
"But things should be moving forward at Williams, he has a strong engine there too. And apparently there is a clause in his contract that allows him to leave if an offer comes from a much better placed team," added Marko.
Amid the shake-up, Hamilton is expected to be a strong contender near the forefront in 2025.
"In Formula 1, there is real competition now, with four teams all very close - Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes," Elkann remarked.
"It is important to always go to the maximum of your potential, and those with more experience have more consistency, as demonstrated by Hamilton and also (Fernando) Alonso. And this consistency counts."
Elkann expressed no concerns regarding Hamilton's age or the frequent hints at impending retirement.
"I think of Djokovic, Federer, Ronaldo, Messi, Paltrinieri, and the thought that with sacrifice and dedication, you can overcome the physical limits of age," the chairman of Ferrari, Stellantis, and Exor mused.
"It is also true that we are in a historical phase in which we live longer and the careers of athletes are lengthening."
